Fiona Maxwell – CEO – Brisbane Powerhouse

Fiona Maxwell is the CEO of the Brisbane Powerhouse, Queensland’s flagship precinct for contemporary culture and the arts. Built in the 1920s, the Powerhouse is an iconic location on the Brisbane River in the inner city suburb of New Farm, and produces some of Queensland’s and Australia’s largest events. The Powerhouse has a year round program featuring events across music, comedy, writer and ideas; dance, film, the visual arts and digital arts; theatre and music. Over 700, 000 visitors to the Powerhouse each year enjoy over 1250 program items and performances across music, comedy, writers and ideas, dance, film, visual arts and more. Prior to taking over as CEO in mid 2015, Fiona worked in a number of arts focused organisations, including as General Manager and CEO of Next Wave Festival, the Queensland Manager of Artsupport Australia and Philanthropy Australia.

A sister to two younger brothers, Fiona was born in Townsville and spent her early years in outback Winton, where her parents ran a sheep property. She completed her secondary education in Brisbane before receiving a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Queensland University of Technology and then a Masters in Arts Administration from the University of New South Wales (College of Fine Art). Upon completing university, Fiona relocated to Los Angeles to undertake a coveted year long internship at the Getty Museum before returning to Australia to assume a role with Monash University Museum of Art in Melbourne. Fiona has also been a Committee Member of Women and Change, Queensland Women’s Giving Circle since 2013.

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